6.5-284 Norma load suggestions I have a new rifle

[Jnm300ultra]

Hi, guys this is my first post here. I'm new to reloading this caliber 6.5-284 Norma . I have to shoot a lead free bullet since I live in California. I have chosen the Nosler E Tipped bullet 120 grain. This bullet has a better bc than anything else lead free. The bc is .496 and the barns bullet is a lot less I think around .468. I did think about cutting edge bullets, just didn't think the little black tail really need that bullet. I have some H4350 since I reload for a 6.5-47 lapua. The brass I have is Lapua with Cci benchrest primers. The rifle is a Nosler Patraiot rifle it loves Nosler Accubond ammo. I'm looking for a lead free suggestions maybe a Barnes lr tsx bullet. I also have some H4831sc if someone thinks it is better. I prefer to shot not temp. Sensitive powder. Sorry for the long winded post. Thanks for reading Jason

 

[jrsolocam]

H4831sc with the heavier load, 4350 with the lighter loads, both are great powders. I shoot H4831sc with 140's.

 

[Hotolds442]

Don't overlook Retumbo if you can find it. It's doing fantastic in our 6.5x284 Savage LRH.

 

[roninflag]

welcome. what rifle?

 

[C.O. Shooter]

This is my load: 6.5-284: 140 Berger VLD Hunting, 49gr H4350, Lapua Brass, Fed210M Primers = 3040 FPS.

This is a very useful site also for the 6.5-284: 6.5-284 Cartridge Guide within AccurateShooter.com. It does list several loads used by some popular shooters. It's all in what works for you and your particular rifle.

 

[bruce_ventura]

What are you hunting and at what max range?

 

[65WSM]

Do you have a chronograph?

My goal is velocity for a deer rifle. I have tried R-17, R-22, 4000-MR, MagPro, IMR 7828SC, H-1000 and R-26.

VV-560 will give you the highest velocity with 120 gr and 130 gr bullets. It is also more accurate than most the the single base powders. I can get as high as 3380 with 58.02 gr of VV N-560 and still reload the cases (120 Noslers). With anything near 58.30 gr of VV N-560 I get loose primer pockets. I have tried as high as 59.40 gr of MagPro and got only 3113 with the same 120 Noslers.

 

[Jnm300ultra]

To answer some of the questions. Yes I have a chronograph, the rifle is a Nosler 48 Patriot " Nosler base line model" with a 24" barrel sporter weight. The max I will probably shoot is 600-700 yards. The scope is a Nightforce Nxs 5.5-22-56 no zero stop Moar reticle. I will be hunting in norther A zone. Knoxville near Lake Berryessa. I would love to shoot the Berger bullets since they shoot so well out of my F class rifle in 6.5x47 Lapua, but I need to shoot lead free ammo. I'm a member on Accurate shooter just all there load data is for a f class or bench gun with 30" barrels. if anyone uses some E tipped Nosler bullets or Barnes lr tsx bullets just a starting load would be helpful. In Cal the lead ban was going into affect in 2019 but when you hunt on Fish and Game land they put a clause saying it would be sooner and that time has come. The rifle shoot Nosler ammo so good I never bothered to reload. Nosler charges $73.00 for 20 rounds now I have to reload for that price.
Thanks for all the input Jason

 

[duckhunter175]

I have a new 6.5x284 Savage LRH and have been looking for suggestions as well. Great thread, esp on the dif powders.

Does anyone have experience with the 120, 123 or 140 AMax?

I saw the 140gr Amax recommends 1-7.5" or faster but my rifle is 1-8" has anyone seen the stability issue with .5" difference?

 

[Wedgy]

I am shooting the Barnes 127 LRX with 49.0 gr of IMR 7828 with Lapua brass & Fed 210m at 3030fps from a 26" tube and it will flatten primers on a hot(above 95 degrees) day. I could not get that bullet to group well with the usual powders, H4350, IMR4350, 4831, H1000, but it is holding .4 MOA to 600 yards for me with 7828.
6.5x284

 

[65WSM]

First to Wedgy: I have several hundred 123 A-Max bullets. It is the only bullet I have not gotten to shoot withing a 6 inch group at 300 yards. Terrible.

I have used most of the other 6.5 bullets. All of the Sierra bullets from 85, 100, 120, 140 and 142 all shoot in multiple barrels for me and my friends.

I have gotten some of the Hornady 129 SST to shoot but not the most recent box. Others have reported mixed results on this website.

Nosler chooses the 120 Ballistic tip for its factory load and that works accurately for me. With VV N-560 you can go fast I have a note of 3401 fps with BR2 primers and 58.17gr of powder in Lapua cases. The SD was 5.

I built one barrel to shoot the 120 Barnes. With a long throat. By the time the rifle was completed Nosler came out with the 130 Accubond and it shot better than the Barnes with or without the plastic tip.

130 Accubonds 56.9 gr of VV N-560 3291fps with Wolf primers (in desprite times we were obliged to use the primer that was available) in Lapua cases. This bullet has a good record on game.

I also shoot 130 Barnes at about the same charge weight and velocity as the Accubonds.

I have tried MagPro (up to 59 gr for 3200 fps), Win 785 (actually the closest I have seen to N-560 velocity but not as accurate), Reloader 17 (too fast except for the 85 gr Sierra and there it shines as a reduced recoil load suitable for coyotes), Reloader 22 ( smokey sooty accurate but not fast) , IMR 7828SSC ( 200 fps slower than VV N-560 and not as accurate), Alliant 4000MR (54 gr for 3154 with 120 Ballistic Tips).

 

[candafish]

I have a new 6.5x284 Savage LRH and have been looking for suggestions as well. Great thread, esp on the dif powders.

Does anyone have experience with the 120, 123 or 140 AMax?

I saw the 140gr Amax recommends 1-7.5" or faster but my rifle is 1-8" has anyone seen the stability issue with .5" difference?

duckhunter, did you ever find a good load for your lrh? thanks, chris